John Adds Big Money To Campaign Account

Ron Hurtibise Staff Writer October 22, 1998; Page 06C

DELAND -- At-large County Council candidate Big John dumped big dollars into his campaign war chest in September.

John added $18,995 to his account to bring his total contributions to date to $32,918 more than any other candidate except District 1 hopeful Dwight Lewis. That comparison is deceiving, however. Of the $43,585 accrued so far this year by Lewis, a retired DeLand oil company owner, $25,000 came from his own pocket.

Of 149 campaign gifts John received between Sept. 5 and Oct. 9, a whopping 101 were for $100 or more.

In a fund-raising letter, "we expressed our concerns and people freely gave," John said. "I think the general population of Volusia County would like to see a change of direction on the County Council."

John has spent only $4,408 through Oct. 9. He said his bulging coffers will pay for a four-page newspaper insert that will be sent to every Volusia household next week. He said he would not buy any radio or television ads.

"This publication, in the hands of voters, will give them clear information I hope they will use to vote for me on Nov. 3," John said. "TV, radio and yard signs are terribly deceptive. They don't give voters any information on the issues or the abilities of the candidate."

John's opponent, incumbent At- large Councilman Bob Tuttle, sprinted ahead of the fund-raising pack at the beginning of the season but has since fallen $9,553 behind John. Tuttle has raised $23,365 since the beginning of the campaign and spent $14,549.

Tuttle collected $4,500 from 31 contributors between Sept. 5 and Oct. 9. Contributors included the Florida Police Benevolent Association ($500), and its Law and Order political action committee ($500).

When told about John's tabloid, Tuttle said he had no such plans. I'm just going to do what I normally do advertise on TV, radio and so forth," he said. "No big blitz."

In the District 1 council race, Maureen France collected $3,010 from 43 contributors between Sept. 5 and Oct. 9 for a year-to-date total of $13,085. Contributors included DeLand Ford dealer Ed Lacey ($100); Ormond Beach attorney Scott Simpson ($250); and Volusia County Republican Executive Committee ($250). France also picked up $1,093 in contributed goods and services, including $493 in office supplies from state Rep. Earl Ziebarth, R-DeLand, who is not running for re-election this fall.

His opponent, Walter Fordham, collected $2,513 from 27 contributors between Sept. 5 and Oct. 9. He has collected $11,903 including $5,800 of his own money and spent $10,721 on his campaign so far this year.

Fordham, a Bethune-Cookman College professor, got support from the Realtors Political Action Committee ($500) and the Daytona Beach chapter of the fraternity Kappa Alpha Psi ($500).

In District 4, incumbent Councilman Stan Rosevear received $4,125 from 26 contributors from Sept. 5 to Oct. 9, including $250 from Daytona Beach attorney Doug Daniels; $500 from Ormond Beach investor Stephen J. Elston; and $250 from East Volusia property owner Hyatt Brown. Rosevear has collected $11,760 including $1,500 of his own money and spent a bare-bones $1,503 so far in the campaign.

His opponent, Ormond Beach computer engineer Joe Jaynes, collected just $1,410 from 13 contributors from Sept. 5 to Oct. 9. So far this year, he has collected $5,160 and spent $4,488. Contributors to Jaynes included Atlantic Concrete of Ormond Beach ($500).

District 5 incumbent Ann McFall raised $1,525 from 17 contributors from Sept. 5 to Oct. 9 and has collected $8,365 for the year. She has spent $5,791 on her campaign so far this year.

Her opponent, Phil Giorno, collected $6,711 from 63 contributors from Sept. 5 to Oct. 9, for a year-to- date total of $20,301 which includes $5,600 of his own money. Supporters include former county Clerk of Courts V.Y. Smith ($100).

The most prolific special interest contributors from Sept. 5 to Oct. 9 include Shuman Farms, a DeLeon Springs fernery, which gave $450 each to John and Lewis and $150 to Bruno. The Accumen Sales and Marketing Group, owner of the Americano and Grand Seas time-share resorts, contributed $250 to Rosevear; $500 to Bruno; $500 to Tuttle; and $500 to Giorno under one of its various corporate names. The International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers Local 756 gave $500 to Tuttle and $150 each to France, Jaynes and Bruno. Volusia County candidates are required to file campaign reports every two weeks with the Volusia County Supervisor of Elections office. The reports are available at the following Web address: www.n-jcenter.com/ pol/elect/elect.shtml

This article is copyrighted by The News-Journal Corporation and may not be reprinted in any form without permission. For more information please go to www.news-journalonline.com/online/copyright.htm.